The Candle demonstration (Slovak: sviečková demonštrácia) on 25 March 1988 in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, was the first mass demonstration since 1969 against the communist regime in Czechoslovakia.

The Demonstration was planned by Marián Štastný, Executive Vice-President of the Slovak World Congress and his associate Dr. Paul Arnold of Switzerland. They were in touch with the Čarnogurský family of Bratislava and passed on the plans for the demonstration via Štastný's mother-in-law, who was on a visit to Switzerland.

The demonstration was the first important step towards destroying the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. Five thousand Slovaks protested at Hviezdoslav Square with candles in their hands, and other six thousands in adjacent streets, while the main entrance to the square was blocked by the secret police. Police first used water cannons against protesters while they ran their sirens and yelled at protesters to get away from the square, then began attacking the protesters with batons and sticks.

Hviezdoslav Square in 2009.

Leading Communist officials (e.g. the Slovak prime minister, minister of the interior, minister of culture) were observing the whole "operation" from inside the Carlton Hotel on Hviezdoslav square.

25 March has become Struggle for Human Rights Day in Slovakia, commemorating the Candle demonstration.